– by Phillip Smart
Veteran Australian Helicopter Industry Association (AHIA) convenor and industry advocate Rob Rich has retired from his executive position on the AHIA board.
Rich, an experienced military and civil helicopter pilot, test pilot, auditor and trainer was instrumental in re-establishing a national Australian helicopter industry association in 2012.
“Rob’s passion and enthusiasm for the helicopter industry has not wavered in the almost 50 years I’ve known him,” said AHIA president Peter Crook. “It was his foresight that saw the need for a helicopter industry representative body and in November 2012 the AHIA was incorporated. Without this representation the industry would not be as well off as it is today.”
Rich began flying as an Australian Army helicopter pilot in 1964. He flew in the Vietnam Battle of Long Tan in August 1966 before going on to be Standards Officer at the US Army’s School of Aviation at Fort Rucker in the United States.
He was a Hawker de Havilland test pilot on programs from the Bell 47 helicopter to the Caribou transport, a Civil Aviation Safety Authority examiner of airmen, search and rescue helicopter pilot and later a safety course trainer and convenor.
As the AHIA’s convenor he has organised its successful Rotortech conferences, rapidly becoming the established helicopter industry conference for the Asia Pacific region.
In recognition of Rob’s dedication to the Association and the industry, the AHIA has awarded him the inaugural AHIA Life Membership and will formalise this award at an appropriate future venue.